Solid Axle Swaps, All Years Anything SAS related

Jokeplayer's SFAC

Old 06-19-2008 | 12:17 PM
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Jokeplayer's SFAC

Due to an accident a few years back from a lower a-arm cam-bolt failure and wheeling the piss out of my IFS, it was finally time to put it to rest. And after 270,000 miles I don't blame it for being tired.

Before:


Axle Rebuild:


IFS falling off:


IFS removed:


Placing the spring hanger:


Done!


Today I'm gonna go bolt up the shocks and drive it home!
Old 06-19-2008 | 12:25 PM
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man..... thats the fastest sas ive ever seen
Old 06-19-2008 | 12:29 PM
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I spent a week's worth of afternoons rebuilding the axle. The cutting and welding was a two day process.
Old 06-21-2008 | 02:52 PM
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Ok, so the front is done but I haven't decided what to do about the rear...


I was looking at the Trail Gear 5" springs but I do a couple trips a year where I load up four people and a weeks worth of gear.... And from talking with UKMyers he sags a bit when he's loaded up. Another guy mentioned he runs 6" all-pro springs in the rear but with ~500lbs of gear he sags 1.5". I'm fully open to running Chevies if they will handle the weight and still flex well.

What's my best option? What are you running for rear springs to give you ~5" of lift?
Old 06-22-2008 | 01:17 AM
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I've 5'' Trail-Gear springs on my 4Runner and I loaded with near 600lbs once and they held pretty well. But I'm in the process of adding airbags to compensate the extra weight in the Africa trips (Dual tanks full, spare wheel, spare parts, fridge...).

You would need bigger tires!

David
Old 06-22-2008 | 06:57 AM
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You guys get all the cool engine options! Do you have a thread going about the airbag setup?

I've got a set of 35x12.5x15 BFG MT's lined up - I'm trading my TV for them
Old 06-22-2008 | 07:58 AM
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Originally Posted by JoKEpLaYeR
Do you have a thread going about the airbag setup?
Not yet because the airbags are taking an eternity to get here... As soon as I've pics I'll post them. I was able to find only one reference of an airbag capable of extending so much...

David

Last edited by Blizzard; 09-30-2008 at 08:27 AM.
Old 06-26-2008 | 02:31 PM
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Ok, I'll keep my eyes open for the airbag thread. I think I'm gonna end up going with the 5" Trail Gear springs and some Bilstein 5150's for the rear.
Old 06-26-2008 | 02:36 PM
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Why not go Marlin HD 5" springs?
Old 06-26-2008 | 02:38 PM
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Cause I hadn't even though about Marlin for suspension stuff! I'll look into it. Thanks!
Old 06-26-2008 | 02:40 PM
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No prob.
Old 06-26-2008 | 02:48 PM
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Right on, Steve! Can't wait to see how it looks when the back's done, too.

However, I have to say that the brevity and simplicity of your first post may only further fuel the notions of those who think that an SAS is a quick and easy thing.
Old 06-26-2008 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Tacoclimber
Right on, Steve! Can't wait to see how it looks when the back's done, too.

However, I have to say that the brevity and simplicity of your first post may only further fuel the notions of those who think that an SAS is a quick and easy thing.
You know, with the right tools and a couple friends it wasn't so bad. And having all the parts ready. The plasma cutter, professional drag-bike welder, and a friends snap-on equipped shop sure helped.

I spent a week of afternoon's after work cleaning and rebuilding the axle and then two full days doing the sas. It wasn't the end of the world.

I can't wait to get the rear up to match! Then I'll move on to adding that 2nd t-case that I've got sitting around. I don't want to deal with building drive shafts twice so I'm gonna wait until the 2nd case is in to measure and build. So for now it's 2wd and sitting really funny.
Old 07-30-2008 | 03:37 PM
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any progress???
Old 09-23-2008 | 08:27 PM
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Progress: The front wiped me out.... so I took on a side job so that I could afford the rear lift and the associated welding. The rear kit will be getting ordered in the next week. I want to have it ready to run a Death Valley trip by the end of December!!! I'm going with the 5" Trail Gear kit.

A set of barely used BFG M/T 35's have been secured and are ready to get mounted once the rear is high enough to clear them.

Last edited by JoKEpLaYeR; 09-23-2008 at 08:33 PM.
Old 09-24-2008 | 02:39 PM
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Nice Axle swap.

I had a problem getting the rear leaf springs where I wanted them loaded and unloaded so I added some airbags. Really please at how well it works. Link
Old 09-24-2008 | 08:21 PM
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Awesome!!! I'm gonna have to load up a weeks worth of camping gear and see how the new 5" springs hold the weight... I'll keep this in mind if they don't do so well.
Old 10-08-2008 | 09:47 PM
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as for the sagging when loaded up, 1" sag i think should be expected. the rock crawling springs from marlin, trail gear all pro are made to be soft and flexy for articulation, and not really to be loaded with a few hundred pounds of gear and not be expected to sag, you would have to get really stiff springs to not sag at all, but then you loose flex.
Old 07-14-2009 | 03:38 PM
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Picture and status update.

Last time I posted I hadn't finished the rear, well it's mostly done now and sitting on some 5" TG springs for now. I still need to hook the brakes back up and figure out where I want the shocks.



I finally had a free weekend to wrench and made some more progress on the build up. The rig got a new clutch, dual cases, a twin stick, and a TrailGear low profile dual case crossmember!










I need to the BFG 35's mounted on my rims, figure out something for the front driveshaft, and replace the alternator. But it's feeling much closer to completion!
Old 07-19-2009 | 10:08 PM
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lookin good!

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